Formerly known as the Steel Heart of the Republic following on from the discovery of coal in the early 20th century, Ostrava is the third largest Czech city and, as such, a force to be reckoned with. Wedged between the Slovak and Polish borders, Ostrava has it all – a rich and diverse history, a bustling cultural and social life plus beautiful landscapes. And since its humble beginnings in 2002, the Colours of Ostrava festival has been drawing droves of festival revellers to Ostrava.
Featuring a spectacular line-up including Björk (ft. Austria´s very own Manu Delago), Kasabian, Caribou, The Cinematic Orchestra, Swans, Klangkarussell, HVOB and many more, Colours 2015 offers a wide selection of contemporary and classic performers, from electro to world music, jazz, indierock, and reggae. The festival also remains committed to presenting less commercially known artists from across the globe – from Australia to Iceland, South Africa to Mexico, and Pakistan to Israel. Spread over 14 unique indoor and outdoor venues, Colours of Ostrava 2015 will be taking place for the fourth time on the vast site of the city’s former mines and ironworks, which is listed as a European Cultural Heritage site.
Czech Music Crossroads
Following on from last year’s successful pre-festival events, a free two-day Festival on the Streets will be held around the city on the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to festival kick-off along with the musical showcase conference Czech Music Crossroads, which will focus on music from the Czech Republic as well as Slovakia and Poland. It aims to present up-and-coming local rock, avant-garde, jazz, folk and world music targeting foreign audiences. Czech Music Crossroads and the accompanying panel discussions will be attended by foreign professionals representing festivals, media and booking agencies. Local organisers, publicists and media representatives will also be invited.
Read more: www.colours.cz / www.crossroads.colours.cz
Line-up 2015 selection
BJÖRK (IS), KASABIAN (GB), RUDIMENTAL (GB), ST. VINCENT (US), MIKA (GB), CARIBOU (CA), CLEAN BANDIT (GB), JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ (SE), THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA (GB), RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (MX), SLY & ROBBIE MEET NILS PETTER MOLVÆR (JM/NO/FI), SWANS (US), KLANGKARUSSELL (AT), RONI SIZE REPRAZENT LIVE (GB), DAMIAN LAZARUS & THE ANCIENT MOONS (GB), AVISHAI COHEN’S NEW YORK DIVISION (IL/US), AUGUSTINES (US), WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS (US), DILLON (DE/BR), HVOB (AT), FAIZ ALI FAIZ (PK), BLACK STROBE (FR), KASAI ALLSTARS (CD), KAPELA ZE WSI WARSZAWA (PL), CHOIR OF YOUNG BELIEVERS (DK), OSCAR AND THE WOLF (BE), VÖK (IS), PALENKE SOULTRIBE (US), NORTEC COLLECTIVE PRESENTS: BOSTICH+FUSSIBLE (MX), CAMILLE O´SULLIVAN (IE), THE MISPERS (GB), MARK ELIYAHU FEAT. ALAEV FAMILY AND RITA (IL), THE DUMPLINGS (PL), BAZZOOKAS (NL), ABAVUKI (ZA), DŽAMBO AGUŠEVI ORCHESTRA (MK), IMED ALIBI (TN), BOKKA (PL), TOO MANY ZOOZ (US), CANZONIERE GRECANICO SALENTINO (IT), AND MANY MORE